Nelson LFC 4

Blackburn CSC Dev 0

Woods 7

Hartley 16

Ripley 51, 59

Nelson ladies made it 5 wins on the bounce and the second consecutive month unbeaten as they brushed aside LFA Women's Premier Division side Blackburn Community Sports Club Development in the semi final of the LFA Women's Plate at Little Wembley. The admiralettes were heading into this game with a few players missing, Paige Nutter and Alexandra Heys absentees through injury and former BCSC keeper and current Nelson Stopper Chelsea Boyle due to personal reasons which led to striker Stephanie Lambert going in between the sticks.

The blues were expecting a tough game from the outset having dumped league one Barrow Celtic Comets out in the quarter final this set up an East Lancashire Derby if you like. As mentioned the admiralettes have not lost in their last 5 games and scored an impressive 23 goals in 5 games. The blues handed a debut to Amelia Ripley who joined from Penwortham Town whose reserve team faced Nelson last week.

The blues started very brightly with good combination play between the back four and midfield aloud Jess Rigg to put a through ball onto debutant Ripley in the first 3 mins but the ball just went shy of the left hand post. BCSC tried to reply 2 minutes later but the clearance from Liv waddington stopped their attack. Nelson brought the deadlock after 7 minutes when a cross from the wing enabled Hannah Woods to get a head on the ball and head home after 7 minutes. Nelson added a second after 16 minutes after excellent play from Charlotte Hartley from the right hand side enable her to catch community's defence off guard and cooly finish to make it 2-0. BCSC tried to fight back in the first half but to no avail as the admiralettes defence were strong enough stop any line of attack.

Half Time. 2-0

BCSC started the second half brightly with some good passing, but Nelson quickly added a 3rd on 51 minutes as an intercepted a pass found its way to Leafy Lundwright whose pace was no match for their right back as she floated the ball across goal and it found it's way into Amelia Ripleys path who claimed her first goal in a Nelson shirt on 51 mins. Ripley got her second just 8 minutes later as a ball from Charlotte Hartley found its way into the box and tried to be scrambled away but again the ball found its way to Amelia Ripley in the crowded box who claimed her second of the game on 59 minutes.

Both teams tried to create more and more chances throughout the game with Nelson coming close on a few occasions with Beth Roberts and Substitute Danielle Nuttall just firing over the bar. Charlotte Hartleys dominance on the right hand side caused them problems that much it took 4 fouls before a free kick was awarded. The full time whistle blew on a really physical game and Nelson came away with the victory as 4-0 winners.

After the game manager Nicky Simmonds said " I'm proud of the girls and how far they have come in the last 2 month's, I hope with our current run of form we don't get carried away. We have to keep our feet firmly on the ground, we have tough league games to come beginning with Accrington in 2 weeks, I'm proud to co manage this talent squad with Carmelo.

It's been a quality few weeks everyone's gelled in the squad, support has been immense as ever and we now have a new away kit as well. Everyone played a part in the last 5 games, from players to management to staff to photographers and the supporters. They have been our 12th player. We get a well deserved rest now before we get back to league action.

The admiralettes face Bury FC Ladies Dev in the final with the date TBC. Next up for them tho is Accrington Community FC away on 9th December at Livingston Road Accrington. kick off 2pm. All Support welcome.

Starting XI

Stephanie Lambert, Vicky Beard, Olivia Waddington, Beth Kirby, Meghan-Jo Wilson, Charlotte Hartley, Leafy Lundwright, Jess Rigg, Beth Roberts, Amelia Ripley and Hannah Woods

Subs ( All Used ).

Danielle Nuttall, Amy Cooper, Melissa King.

Victoria Park, ATT 47